Command Master Chief
CMDCM (SW/AW) Miles A. Gray
Command Master Chief Gray, the son of an Army Soldier, was a native of Homerville, Georgia and Columbus, Georgia. He joined the Navy’s Delayed Entry Program and graduated from Jordan Vocational High School in 1995. He left for Navy boot camp in August of that year and completed basic training in Great Lakes, Illinois and Yeoman Class “A” School at Naval Technical Training Center, Meridian, Mississippi.
Upon graduation, he reported for duty onboard USS Ogden (LPD 5) in the Ship’s Office as the legal yeoman, completing two deployments to the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf, and advancing to Petty Officer Third Class. His follow-on assignments and duties include: Commander, Navy Region Southeast as flag yeoman, where he was promoted to Petty Officer Second Class; Sea Control Squadron (VS) 32 as Administration and Maintenance Administration Department’s leading petty officer, which included a combat deployment onboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65) in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, where he advanced to Petty Officer First Class; Navy Recruiting District Richmond as a recruiter, recruiter-in-charge and zone supervisor, where he was awarded Recruiter-in-Charge of the Year, laterally converted to Navy Counselor Recruiter, and advanced to Chief Petty Officer; Navy Recruiting District Philadelphia as division leading chief petty officer, where he was awarded the Inspirational Leadership Award and advanced to Senior Chief Petty Officer; and Navy Recruiting District San Diego as senior command trainer and senior enlisted leader where he was awarded the Region West Spirit of Leadership Award. He was selected for the Command Senior Chief program and promoted to Master Chief in 2016.
As a command master chief he was assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 11 “Red Rippers” in June 2016, completing the inaugural Dynamic Force Employment deployment onboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) in support of Operation Inherent Resolve and Exercise Trident Juncture. While assigned to the Red Rippers, they were awarded the 2017 and 2018 Chief of Naval Operations Safety “S” Award. He reported to the Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 22 “Sea Knights” in April 2019, where his team earned the Battle “E”. He was then selected to lead the Helicopter Sea Combat Wing as the interim Command Master Chief for six months, overseeing 13 commands. He reported aboard PCU John F. Kennedy in May 2021.
Gray is a graduate of the Senior Enlisted Academy, Class 177 (Green) and Command Master Chief/Chief of the Boat (CMC/COB) Class 159 and he has earned his Associate’s and Bachelor’s Degrees in Psychology.
His decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (2 awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2 awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (7 awards), Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal and various unit and campaign awards. He has earned the Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist and Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist devices.